Indonesian Student in Los Angeles Scientific Meeting I
Objectives:
1. To provide a media for Indonesian students in Los Angeles to communicate and present their research topics
2. To serve as a cross-area studies discussion forum between Indonesian students
3. To promote research among indonesian students
Speakers:
1. Suprayoga Hadi Ph.D ([EMAIL PROTECTED] )
He received his Bachelor in Agricultural Economics from University of Lampung, Indonesia, Master in Regional Planning from Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Indonesia, and his doctoral degree in Planning and Development Studies from University of Southern California concurrently .. Curently he is holding a position as Head of Division for the Eastern Indonesia Development at The National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia and working as a researcher at the Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES ) Jakarta, Indonesia. He also has lectured extensively at various universities and government educational institutions in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Abstract:
Designing Implementing Guidelines to Support Decentralization in Indonesia
Since the fall of the old military regime in 1998, the Government of Indonesia has been pursuing decentralization as part of its national reform agenda. In response to widespread demands for fiscal and political decentralization, in 1999 the National Parliament has passed new laws on decentralization reform. However, the reform is not likely to satisfy regional demands, and cannot address the weaknesses of the political and administrative system, which can be attributed to the political, managerial, and administrative gaps of the current policy implementation. Under a very tight schedule, such a reform has emerged some implementation issues, notably the assignment of local functions and the lack of implementing guidelines. Worse, under the new laws, there is no guideline for local government in determining their functions. Therefore, this project objective is aimed to design implementing guidelines necessary to support the implementation of functional assignment to local governments, as well as to central and provincial governments in facilitating the local level. Towards the design of the proposing guidelines, this project has identified major arguments and corresponding principles in designing such implementing guidelines. Laid on the current legislative platform, this project is and aimed to fulfill the identified gaps of the overall implementation system as well as to improve the current decentralization reform.
2. Danny H. Natawidjaja ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
He received his Bachelor degree in geology from ITB, Indonesia, M.Sc fromUniversity of Auckland, New Zealand, and he is currently near completion of his Ph.D at The Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, Caltech. He was the recipient of the Schlumberger award and the best graduate of the Faculty of Mineral Technology, ITB, and the Senior Prize from University of Auckland, and he currently receives Caltech scholarships and Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant awards. He is an active member of the American Geophysical Union and of the Indonesian Association of Geologists. He is on leave as a research associate at Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
Abstract:
Seismic terrors posed by large earthquake faults in Western Indonesia
Major earthquake even has been long known as the world most deadly natural disaster in human history. Indonesian Island arc ranks as one of the highest seismicity zones on Earth, but its seismic sources have been poorly understood. This motivate us to study major earthquake faults in Sumatra that pose a substantial seismic threat to the safety and economic welfare of western Indonesia, and of the distant metropolitan cities: Jakarta, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Our ultimate goal is to determine which faults of the Sumatran plate boundary will rupture next and how large the concomitant earthquakes will be. Sumatra consists of two principal earthquake fault zones: the Sumatran fault in the mainland, and the Subduction zone underneath the ocean off the West Coast. Sumatran fault runs through the backbone of the Sumatra Island consists of 18 geometrically defined segments, which range in length from about 60 to 200 km. These segment lengths have limited the magnitudes of large historical fault ruptures to between Mw 6.5 and about 7.7. Most of them occurred in populated regions and caused many casualties and great economic losses. These include the 1994 Liwa earthquake (Mw7.0) and the 1995 Kerinci earthquake (Mw7.0). Geological measurements of relative crustal movements for the fault yield rate 11 to 27 mm/yr - dextral slip (similar to that of San Andreas Fault in California). This provides a quantitative basis for calculation of average expected recurrence periods for large earthquakes on each segment. The Sumatran subduction zone has produced more and even far larger earthquakes, including giant earthquakes in 1833 (Mw 9), and in 1861 (Mw 8.5), and also large earthquake in 1935 (Mw7.7), as well as the most recently major earthquake in June 2000 in Bengkulu (Mw 7.9). Evidence from coral microatolls suggests that the 1833-like earthquake may recur about every 230 years. We are currently working toward a rigorous physical model based on geologic, seismologic and geodetic data to refine our forecasts of the source parameters of future Sumatran earthquakes. Path and site effects must also be evaluated before accurate assessments of building and lifeline vulnerability can be made. Toward these ends, an effective collaboration between earth scientist, engineers, planners and policy makers shall be considered.
3. Isabella H. Wulur ([EMAIL PROTECTED] )
She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Latin Honor-Summa Cum Laude from University of California, Los Angeles and she is currently a Master Candidate in Biomedical Engineering with Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering emphasis, University of California, Los Angeles. She was a recipient of Honorable Mention Poster Presentation - Southern California Biomedical Engineering & activities: Student Symposium, University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA Dean's Special Graduate Student Researcher Fellowship, Highest Honor - UCLA Biochemistry Department, Coca-cola Research Scholarship, University Honors Program Residential Fellowship.
Abstract:
Microstructural Control of Biomimetically Grown Bonelike Minerals on Polymer Surfaces
Hydroxyapatite coated polymers have been investigated as matrices for cell transplantation and guided tissue regeneration. Mild growth conditions as well as the ability to coat complex shape matrices had made biomimetic technique advantageous to coat polymers. Microstructural architecture of the coating determines cells attachment and spacing which subsequently effects cell functionality. Objective: To form uniform hydroxyapatite (HA) coating on 2D and 3D polymer surfaces for in vitro and in vivo studies of cell functionality on HA/polymer composites. Method: Standard non-treated tissue culture dishes and cylindrical-shape Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds were subjected to surface modification treatment followed by incubation in 5X Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) that resembles 5 times human blood plasma ionic concentration. Contact angle measurements were made to determine surface energy changes before and after treatment. Element composition and phase of coating were analyzed by EDX, FTIR and XRD. Result: Uniform coating of three morphologically different hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals can be formed by carefully controlling growth conditions and incubation time. Submicron size ball, dendrite-like (3:1 aspect ratio) and plate-like hydroxyapatite coating on both polymer surfaces were observed with scanning electron microscope. Conclusion: The ability to control microarchitecture of hydroxyapatite coating could be a powerful tool to study cell functions on HA/polymer composites for the purpose of fabricating optimal bone engineering scaffolds.
4. Cortino Sukotjo ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
He received his Dental Degree with honors from Faculty of Dentistry, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia. Currently he is a Ph.D candidate in Oral Biology Department, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles. He was the recipient of Morita Award, IADR, Chiba, Japan and presently he is a recipient of Strauman Fellowship Award from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts and a finalist for Warner-Lambert Hatton Awards, AADR, San Diego, CA. He is a member of International Association of Dental Research [IADR], American College of Prosthodontics, and American Academy of Osseointegration.
Abstract:
Wit 3.0 Encodes Cytoplasmic Molecules Facilitating Oral Mucosa Wound Contraction
Adult soft tissue wound often heals with significant scar formation, whereas wounds in fetal skin and oral mucosa heal with less scar formation. It has been postulated that oral fibroblasts share the similar properties with fetal fibroblasts. Therefore, oral mucosa wound may provide a novel model for studies establishing a treatment for minimizing scarring during adult tissue repair. Previously, we have isolated three overlapping cDNAs encoding 3.0 kb mRNA (wit 3.0) differentially expressed in oral mucosa wound. Western blot of transfected NIH3T3 fibroblasts showed that the translated fusion peptides of wit 3.0a and b, 40 KD and 43 KD respectively, were identified as single bands with or without a reducing treatment. Immunocytology and cell-fraction Western blot indicated that wit 3.0 peptides terminally localized in cytoplasmic region and appeared to associate with cytoskeletal structures. Collagen gel contraction assay showed that during the initial 24 hours, wit 3.0a and b transfection significantly accelerated the rate of collagen gel contraction (p<0.05) as compared with transfection and untreated controls. Conclusion: These data suggest that wit 3.0 may be involved in the fibroblast derived tissue contraction that primarily contributes to a rapid wound closure of the oral wound healing which may provide a novel clue to ameliorate the scar formation in adult wound healing.
5. Guest Speaker: Mr. Doody Abdassah Ph.D.
He received his Bachelor from Bandung Institute of Technology, M. Sc and Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from University of Southern California. He formerly served as a Chairman of Petroleum Engineering Department and Vice Chancellor IV of Bandung Institute of Technology and adjunct professor at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, USA. Currently he serves as a Visiting Scholar of Petroleum Engineering Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. He was a recipient of various of award such as Recognition of Outstanding Academic Award, USC - ARCO Los Angeles, USA (1981), Marquis' who's who in Finance and Industry 1998/1999, Barron's who's who in the World, 1999. He also has lectured and published extensively in international and local seminar/journal.
Time and Venue:
Saturday, Feb 23rd, 2002. 3 PM - 6 PM. North Mudd Building (Geological and Planetary Science Div.), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. Address: Northeast corner of the intersection between E. California Blvd and Wilson Ave, Pasadena. http://www.gps.caltech.edu/
For MAP and parking information: please visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndoSSM/files/
Tour around Caltech and social event will be held following the meeting.
Direction:
From East: Freeway 210W, exit at Lake Ave, turn left(south) on Lake Ave and drive all the way to the intersection with E. California blvd, turn left at E. California Blvd and after a couple hundred meters you'll find the intersection with Wilson Ave. The Geological and Planetary Division, Caltech is at the NE side of the intersection. The Arms Bld is the second bld from the corner (the one with a wide front yard and drive circle)
From West: Freeway 210W, exit at Lake Ave, turn left(south) on Lake Ave and drive all the way to the intersection with E. California blvd, turn left at E. California Blvd and after a couple hundred meters you'll find the intersection with Wilson Ave. The Geological and Planetary Division, Caltech is at the NE side of the intersection. The Arms Bld is the second bld from the corner (the one with a wide front yard and drive circle)
From South: Freeway 110N all the way to the end, will exit at Arroyo Park Way, go straight up to the intersection of Arroyo Park with California Blvd, turn right at California Blvd, then drive all the way to the intersection of California Blvd with Wilson Ave.
*Event speakers are subject to change without prior notice. A fixed schedule is available or to be determined during the event.
More info:
1. Cortino Sukotjo: [EMAIL PROTECTED], 310-592-0791
2. Danny H. Natawidjaja, [EMAIL PROTECTED]: 1-626-379-7841
3. Suprayoga Hadi: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: 1-626-278-0036
